The disorder usually begins in early adult life but may occur in children or in the elderly. It is often associated with other disorders, such as overactivity of the thyroid gland, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and other diseases.

The muscles become progressively weaker as they are used during the day and seem to recover overnight.

When we wish to use muscles, we send an impulse down the nerve to the muscle. At the nerve ending, a chemical, acetylcholine, is released and this stimulates the muscle to contract.

In myasthenia gravis, the supply of acetylcholine appears to run out with repeated use and the muscles become progressively weaker. The supply appears to build up with rest. Sometimes the muscle become permanently weak.

The drug neostigmine, or its derivatives, is used to overcome the lack of acetylcholine and, if given several times a day, can control the symptoms. The disease tends to remit and relapse but, occasionally, is rapidly progressive and may be fatal.

In some, removal of the thymus does seem to lead to remission but the operation is still controversial.

*508/71/1*

Eating Chinese food may not only leave you still hungry after an hour or two, it may give a few individuals severe headaches and other symptoms.

What has been called the Chinese Restaurant Syndrome comes on usually within half an hour to an hour of eating out at a Chinese restaurant. The symptoms are believed to be caused by monosodium glutamate or MSG which is often added to Chinese cooking.

Those who are sensitive to this substance react by developing feelings of pressure, tightness and burning over the face, neck, shoulders and chest. It is usually associated with a severe throbbing headache.

The symptoms are frightening and many sufferers experiencing their first attack believe they have had a stroke.

They seem to develop only when a sufficient quantity of MSG is taken on an empty stomach. Hence, it is often the soup eaten at the beginning of the meal which causes the problem.

So, if you are unlucky enough to be sensitive to MSG and still be partial to Chinese food, miss out on the soup or have a small snack before you go to the restaurant — or change and learn to like Italian cooking.

*251/71/1*